Heavyweights took center stage at UFC Vegas 87 on Saturday night when division staple Jairzinho Rozenstruik stepped inside the Octagon for a clash with Russian standout Shamil Gaziev.
‘Bigi Boi’ was determined to hang onto his No. 12 ranking as Gaziev looked to break into the top 15 in just his second fight with the promotion. After earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, Gaziev earned his first official UFC victory with a second-round TKO of Martin Buday at UFC 296 in December.
Round 1
Rozenstruik opens up with a calf kick and Gaziev responds with a quick takedown attempt that Rozenstruik defends. Gaziev is backing up Rozenstruik against the fence. Gaziev looks to clinch up, but Rozenstruik fights him off right away. Rozenstruik throws a right hand that Gaziev avoids and then again attempts another lackluster takedown attempt that fails. Gaziev lands a nice right hand. Rozenstruik gets through with a right hand of his own followed up by a jab. Gaziev swings big against the fence and Rozenstruik attempts to respond.
Gaziev closes the distance and clinches up against the fence. Gaziev drops down for a single leg and secures his first takedown of the fight, landing in half guard. Gaziev maintains top control until the end of the round.
Round 2
Rozenstruik starts the round landing a calf kick as Gaziev continues to mark forward and limit the space his opponent has to work with. Gaziev continues to stalk forward as Rozenstruik gets his jab going. Gaziev fires back with a jab of his own. Gaziev moves in with a punishing knee to the body of Rozenstruik. Gaziev follows it up with a clubbing right hand. Gaziev digs for another single leg against the cage, but Rozenstruik defends.
Gaziev continues to hang onto Rozenstruik, working in the clinch for the final minute of the round.
Round 3
Rozenstruik once again starts the round with a calf kick as Gaziev is showing signs of fatigue, breathing through his mouth and keeping his hands low. Gaziev lands a right hand in response to Rozenstruik’s connection with a jab. Gaziev lands partially with a left hand but eats a counter right from Rozenstruik. ‘Bigi Boi’ continues pumping his jab, landing on the head and body of Gaziev.
Rozenstruik unleashes a nasty combination that connects. Gaziev is now reacting to everything Rozenstruik is throwing, desperately trying to avoid more damage. Rozenstruik lands a stiff jab, but Gaziev comes right back with a right hand that gets Rozenstruik’s attention. Rozenstruik goes back to Gaziev’s lead leg before landing another punishing jab as the horn sounds.
Round 4
Rozenstruik goes right back to the jab as Gaziev attempts to show some urgency in the fourth round. Gaziev pushes Rozenstruik to the cage and attempts to get his opponent down, but Rozenstruik fires back with a right hand. Gaziev clinches up and is content to maintain control against the wall. Rozenstruik escapes and circles back to the center of the Octagon.
Rozenstruik lands a big left-right combination that wobbles Gaziev. Recognizing that Gaziev is compromised, Rozenstruik begins to open up his striking near the halfway point of the round. Avoiding any potential mistakes, Rozenstruik goes back to his jab which continues to land at will. Rozenstruik knocks out the mouthpiece of Gaziev with another stiff shot as the Russian is now covered in his own blood. Rozenstruik ends the round rushing in with a flurry.
Before Gaziev could come out for the fifth round, the fight was stopped as Gaziev told his corner that he was struggling to see out of one eye. That’s all referee Marc Goddard needed to hear to wave off the bout.
Official Result: Jairzinho Rozenstruick def. Shamil Gazeiv via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 4.
Check Out Highlights From Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Shamil Gaziev at UFC Vegas 87:
Rozenstruik vs Gaziev is LIVE NEXT on @ESPNPlus! #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/u8RwNv7EKu
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 2, 2024
HEAVYWEIGHT HEADLINERS ARE NEXT!! 🔥
Rozenstruik vs Gaziev | #UFCVegas87 | LIVE @UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/Lc3rxEfhpR
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) March 2, 2024
🇸🇷 Jairzinho Rozenstruik s’impose par arrêt de l’arbitre au 4e round ! #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/tFqIxFPz5d
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) March 2, 2024
This fight has been stopped at the end of the 4th round
Gaziev can't continue, @JairRozenstruik wins via TKO #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/PbVZP4Cvnc
— UFC (@ufc) March 2, 2024
Another TKO victory added to the resume of @JairRozenstruik 👏 #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/poiEC93HXB
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2024
